Revision as of 07:20, 14 November 2012

Pasaje Enrique in Parque Central

Quetzaltenango, also known as Xela (pronounced SHAY-la) or Xelaju, is the second largest city in Guatemala. There are a number of attractions in town, and it's also a good base for exploring Guatemala's Western Highlands ("Los Altos"). Situated at the southwest of the country, the surrounding department has a variety of landscapes extending from the cold highlands to the warm Pacific coast. There are numerous volcanos, hot springs, valleys, mountains, rivers. The region provides a harvest of numerous products such as coffee, wheat, fruits and vegetables, as well as sheep and cattle breeding.

Understand

book your tour with www.mayalandtravel.com to hike santa maria volcano, santiaguito, fuentes georginas, a cultural tour in xela, chocolate, zunil, almolong, san andres xecul, san francisco el alto, totonicapan, momostenango, and many more with the tour guide Pablo Chumil Your local private expert guide The city of Quetzaltenango, the Department of the same name's capital and largest city, is situated on an extensive plain and surrounded by hills and volcanoes. The city of Quetzaltenango conserves the Maya-Quiche's old traditions and the colonial past, while maintaining the dynamism of modern life.

The city's roots go back to the Pre-Columbian Maya era. The Mam authority, called Kulahá, reached its most important expansion. Later Quiches's Lords conquered the area, and founded the city of Xelajú here, moving it from a previous location at the base of the volcano Santa Maria.

The city was already some 300 years old when Spanish Conquistadors came to conquer Guatemala in the early 1500s. Their native allies the Nahuas from Central Mexico called the city Quetzaltenango, meaning "the place of the Quetzal bird" in the Nahua language. The Spanish took the name from the Nahuas. It's still the city's official name, but locals are more apt to casually call it "Xela" from the the ancient name of Xelajú.

It was the administrative capital of the Western Highland region in the Spanish Colonial period. With Central American independence from Spain in the 1820s it was part of the Central American Federation. Conflicts between the interests of Quetzaltenango and Guatemala City led to the creation of "Los Altos", the "Sixth State of the Central American Confederation ", consisting of Western Guatemala (and a slice of what is now part of Chiapas Mexico) with Quetzaltenango as its capital. When the Central American Federation fell apart in 1839-1840, Los Altos was briefly a de-facto independent state, until the army of Guatemalan dictator Carrera brutally conquered the city and hung its leaders.

The city enjoyed prosperity with the boom in coffee production in the late 19th and start of the 20th century, when many of the city's "Belle Époque" style landmarks still seen were built. Plans for a railway to Quetzaltenango dated back to the 1890s, and construction was started in the 1920s and finally completed in 1930. The "Ferrocarril de los Altos" was proclaimed the engineering marvel of the age-- until it was destroyed by landslides in 1933. The fabled railroad is still remembered in local song and story, and there's a museum dedicated to it in town.

Quetzaltenango's prosperity declined from the Great Depression through the Guatemalan Civil War in the later 20th century, and for a time much of the city looked on the scruffy side. With the new millenium, however, better times are back. The old landmarks have been refurbished and new ones added, and the city is more beautiful and vibrant than ever.

Quetzaltecos are proud of their city, its distinct regional culture, and its rich heritage.

Get in

Use the Panamerican Highway (CA-1) which crosses the High Lands or the International (CA-2), parallel to the Pacific Coast.

You can take a bus from many cities, including Guatemala City or Antigua, into Xela. While the local buses (nicknamed "Chicken Buses" by visiting Yanquis), which are brightly painted old school buses, take these routes, they are long, bumpy, noisy and crowded, however they are cheaper (between Q.20 and Q.35 depending on the route). However, for a few dollars more ($7.50 US in the Summer of 2006 to travel from Guatemala City to Xela), ride one of the private bus companies, such as Galgos (Greyhound style), which offers luggage storage, nice seats and quicker routes. Galgos has two daily departures from Guatemala City: at 8:30AM (arriving at Xela around 12:30PM) and 2:30PM arriving at 6:30PM. Try to arrange to arrive in the city well before dark.

If you are coming from Guatemala City the Linea Dorada is a great line, about US$9 gets you to Xela in about 4-4.5 hours with only one stop for lunch. Air-condition bus and movies included. This is a nice ride. Linea Dorada Guatemala City 16 Calle 10-03, Zona 1 Tel: 2415-8900 Guatemala City to Xela 8AM 3PM

Use a taxi when you arrive in Xela if nothing else than to get to the parque... about 25-30Q

Van shuttles are available to San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico and worth it as a van will take you to the Guatemala boarder and a van will pick you up when you come out of immigration taking you to the Mexician Immigration and then on to San Cristóbal de las Casas. There is a 1 hours time change and you leave Xela 8-830 am and arrive in San Cristobal 330-600 pm.

From San Cristóbal de las Casas there are buses [1] to Mexico City, 13 hours on the luxury bus for 77 US dollars 884 local money. They take dollars but they have to be perfect without tears or marks.

The bus station in Mexico City is the TAPO and you can pay for and get an official taxi at a booth in the bus station. If you are headed to the airport it is 125P. Unofficial taxi may be less but may be more.

Get around

An able-bodied person can walk from the center to any point in Xela in about 30 min . Minibus routes thread through all parts of the city and, although cramped, cost only 2.50Q. The bus costs less but is slower and less frequent.

For travel around the countryside, the local buses are very reasonable. They can be entertaining and, at times, quite crowded. Do not plan on carrying much luggage with you on these: some buses have backpack storage above the seats, but most of the time you must store bags that do not fit on your lap on the top of the bus. While they are generally safe up there, they are at risk for weather.

Taxis are relatively common around the city, especially around nightlife hot spots. At night, it is not safe to walk around, so taxis are highly recommended, especially if you are by yourself. Catch a taxi on a public square rather than on one of the side streets and note its number. Negotiate the cost of the ride before you leave. If the driver seems sketchy to you, make a reasonable excuse and do not take it.

When using the minibus to get to Hiper Paiz (the large mall with a movie theatre as well as a supermarket) go to the back part of central park to catch the van. The guy will call, "Hiper Hiper Hiper" and it is 2.50Q in the day and 3Q at night. This same van also drops you at La Democracia Market and Paiz (a slightly smaller mall which also has a supermarket).

This is also the van that you catch to get to the Chicken Bus terminal that takes you to Antigua or Panajachel. Most people tell you to get off at the Roman Columns-Minerva Terminal. You can ask someone where the bus station is or just walk down the street along side Hiper for 4-5 blocks.

These second-class buses will leave at regular times, but if you load your things on the bus, do not get off as the driver may leave without warning.

These buses at the main terminal do make other stops prior to leaving town (7th Street and 16th Avenue, for example).

Details

ook your tour with www.mayalandtravel.com to hike santa maria volcano, santiaguito, fuentes georginas, a cultural tour in xela, chocolate, zunil, almolong, san andres xecul, san francisco el alto, totonicapan, momostenango, and many more with the tour guide Pablo Chumil Your local private expert guide The city of Quetzaltenango
Guatemala City & Antigua - Every 15-30 min, 3am-5pm, you change buses in Chimaltenango.

Panajachel - 9am-5pm hourly. This is the bus to the lake. 30-35Q for this trip.

San Pedro la Laguna - 11:30, 12pm,1pm, 2pm,4pm

San Marcos - 4am-8pm Frequent

Cantel & Zunil - 6am-7pm Frequent buses

Huehuetenango - 4am-6pm Freguent.

La Mesilla border with Mexico at 7am, 8am, 10am, 2:15pm

Retalhuleu & Champerico - 4:30am-7:30pm

Santa Cruz del Quiché - Leaves hourly, 8am-4:30pm

Coatapeque and Mexico border at Tecún Umán - 5am-7pm

San Pedro la Laguna - 11:30am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm & 5:30pm

See

Historical Center

The town conserves traces of the colonial period in its streets and avenues. The classical, neoclassical and Italian renaissance styles are evident in the buildings and the houses which have been built during the past century and the beginning of the 20th, with volcanic stones by artistic "Quetzalteco" masons. Some examples of architectural styles:

Espiritu Santo Cathedral : Consist of two structures. The "Espiritu Santo" parish's ancient facade (1535/1896) and to the back the "Diócesis de los Altos" (1899).

The Municipal Theatre is a very important Neoclassical work.

The Central America park (known as "Parque Central): Situated in the centre of the town is also centre of cultural activities and amusements.

The Enrique Passage : Commercial building from 1900 facing the central park.

Gobernacion : one block from the central park.

Also visit the Cerro del Baúl, where one can have a beautiful view of Quetzaltenango's valley, day or night (accessible by foot, car or taxi).

Quetzaltenango has important cultural activities. There, you'll find the Occidental Cultural Centre (La Casa de la Cultura de Occidente), and Alliance Française de Quetzalteango, numerous activities are scheduled all year.

The first Sunday of each month, the "Quetzaltecos" install the artisans' market in the central park where handcrafts from Quetzaltenago and surrounding villages are displayed. In September, the annual fair and festival is offered from the 12th to the 18th.

Things to Do

Internet Cafes

There are dozens of Internet Cafes in Xela as well as free wifi hot spots.

Volunteering

There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities with organizations and groups in and around Xela, ranging from one day projects to long term placements.

Non-profit organization Entremundos hosts a database of local opportunties, accessable for free at http://www.entremundos.org They offer an additional personalized volunteer service for a donation of Q25 ($3) which includes access to all of their 150 listings, a meeting with their volunteer coordinator to discuss possible opportunities for you, and use of internet and phone to contact organizations (and they can even do this for you) They also rent rooms to people studying or volunteering with local organizations (From Q750 a month). Entremundos, 6a calle, 7-31, Zona 1
For more info email volunteering@entremundos.org

Many of the schools listed above offer opportunities for their students. For other volunteer opportunities, see the list below.

El Nahual Community Center (non-profit) offers volunteer teaching opportunities in schools around Xela. All are welcome at the weekly organizational meeting held Monday at 5:30PM at the Blue Angel Café [5].

La Pedrera Community Project (non-profit) offers volunteer work and internships with an indigenous community [6].

Trama Textiles is a 100% worker-owned women's weaving association providing fair wages to its crafts women and helping them bring their high-quality, handcrafted designs to local and international buyers. [7]

Outdoors

Xela is also well-known for its abundance of volcanoes, mountains, and hot springs.

Quetzaltrekkers [8] offers trips to local natural wonders at reasonable prices, as well as extended treks to Lago de Atitlan and the Cuchumatanes. All guides are either foreign volunteers or local Guatemalans. All profits go towards La Escuela de la Calle, a school in the poorest neighborhood of Xela.

Dance

The salsa scene is also very active in Xela. Lessons are cheap and there are lots of clubs.

Learn

Language Schools:
Xela is an excellent place to take language lessons (both Spanish and some of the Mayan languages specific to the area). There are various schools and NGOs in the city most offer rates based on one week of instruction (approx. 5 hours per day). Some schools offer volunteer opportunities for an additional cost while others offer it for free. Most also offer home stay options, which is an excellent way to make sure you keep practicing at all times. One of the best reasons to learn in Xela is the price. You can expect to pay about US$140-160 per week including home stay. This often includes internet access at the school. Arrangements can be made ahead of time or upon arrival (most schools have multilingual administrators who can help make arrangements via email or phone - some even offer airport pick up from Guatemala City).

Founded in 1989, CBA is one of the oldest language schools in Xela. Its university-trained instructors teach classes in Spanish as well as Mayan languages in a family environment. School profits go to various development projects.

El Portal Spanish School [17] A well-recommended, professional, good value and friendly, non-profit institution which uses fees to support the kids of single mothers through a scholarship program.

Escuela de Español Utatlan[18] (info@spanishxela.com). Highly recommended school by the city's central park, with a friendly atmosphere and very reasonable class rates. Discounts for longer stay and opportunities to teach English in the school to local students.

La Comunidad Spanish School [25] Very good school with English speaking teachers. Also the cheapest rates in the entire city, even $65 per week cheaper than some! Excellent volunteering activities also.

Pop Wuj - Spanish School Guatemala [33] Non-Profit Organization run by teachers to support sustainable community development. Provides One-to-One Spanish Instruction [34], Medical Spanish [35],Volunteering [36]Spanish for Social workers; There is a clinic supported by the Timmy Foundation (http://www.timmyfoundation.org) located under the school. Medical students come to work at the clinic and learn or improve their Spanish. Living arrangements usually with community based families.

Buy

There are many opportunities to buy goods in Xela. Mayans will approach you, especially in parks, about selling purses, bags and blankets in the local styles. Markets occur regularly in and around Xela. Remember to negotiate prices-- walking away is often a good way to get the price down a bit.

During the monthly market at the Parque Central on the first Sunday of the month, a row of vendor booths is set up in front of the Municipal building & Catholic Cathedral (east side of the park) with vendors mainly selling local products. Showing interest & walking away typically elicits price offers at around half of the original quote. For example: my wife decided against a Mayan tablecloth that was originally quoted at Q250 (a reasonable price) and the vendor's wife proceeded to follow us around the park for a while coming down to Q100 eventually before accepting that my wife simply had decided not to purchase at any price.

Eat

Churrascaría Cajola This place is bare bones, dirt cheap, and delicious. You can get carne asada, with tortillas, beans, and cabbage for 10 quetzales (USD $1.25). A soft drink will cost another 4 or 5 quetzales. Located just east of Cervecería Nacional, next to the small roundabout.

Sabor de La India A great indian meal from 40 to 70 quetzales, plus drink. Address is 15 Avenida 3-64, Zona 1, next to Vrisa Bookstore

Comida Taiwanesa Their specialty is the Taiwanese empenada which is entirely vegetarian. They're Q3.00 a piece and two will make a decent size snack. They also sell soy milk and snow cones with all kinds of toppings. Located south of the Parque Central on 8a calle between 8a avenida and 9a avenida.

La Genovese A small Italian Restaurant just two blocks south of the Municipal Theater on 14 avenida A serves great pasta dishes perfect for vegetarians, as well as a great selection of meat based sauce dishes such as the famous Lasagna Bolognes, Spaghetti ala Amatriciana. You will also be surprised to find gourmet dishes such as Fettucinni with black trouffles and smoked salmon, Penne alla Gorbachov which is penne pasta with a vodka based sauce. Part of the charm of this restaurant is its chef Alfredo Trovatti who can entertain you with stories of his travels all around the world.

Luna Cafe has the best hot chocolate (spicy!), and decent food (some original takes on local ingredients & dishes) too. They are closed on Sunday. They are located off the east side of central park on 8a Av between 4a and 5a Calle. Around the corner on 4a Calle, is Bajo la Luna that has an excellent wine selection (seriously) and cheese plates.

Cafe RED is located in Zona 1 on 3a Calle just west of 15a Av. and has delicious coffee, excellent salads (spinach - no iceberg lettuce thankfully), sandwiches, pasta, soups, tipico meals, and wine for only 15Q a glass. They are closed on Sunday.

Drink

Don't drink the tap water. Some hostels will have a water filter, which many drink from, and it seems to be safe. Otherwise, drink purified water (agua pura).

Cabro, which some consider one of the best beers in the world, is made locally in Quetzaltenango. Another local beer, Gallo, is more like the Bud Lite of Guatemala -- bland, available everywhere, and sponsoring everything.

If you like dark beer, try the Moza, another local beer, it's some people's favorite. Shop at the liquor store and return Moza bottles for credit but not all bottles will receive a 1 Q credit.

Miel Y Cafe, 3ra Calle, 15-21, Zone 1 (just a few blocks from Central Park), ☎011-502-4009-3930. 12-8 p.m. Miel y Cafe is an eclectic cafe and hostel in downtown Quetzaltenango. They offer an especially tasty yet unusual avocado and chocolate drink, as well as locally grown gourmet coffee. However I would not live there if I were you! Although it could be an awesome house and really feel like home, it has that sterile hotel feel that makes you just want to hide in your bedroom. Also the guy that runs the cafe (Rocco, doesn't live there) just acts like it's his house and is hanging out there all the time with his dog and his friends. Stay away! $150.00 a month for a single room,$100.00 a month per person shared room.

Sleep

Quetzaltenango has a variety of accommodations for a variety of budgets, though world travelers will find the prices and facilities in the "high end" accommodations more like that of mid-range places in larger world cities. It is best to always ask to see your room before moving in to it; whether budget or more pricey, some rooms in the same place can often be much better or worse than others. At cheaper places don't expect hot water or heat unless you ask for it; in some the "heat" may be wood to put in a fire place that you have to order and pay for by the bundle.

Casa Argentina, Diagonal 12 8-37. Friendly and central, very close to a small fruit and vegetable market. Home of Quetzaltrekkers, a non-profit trekking company. It has a wi-fi (or use their computer), kitchen (a bit dirty and run down), hot water (use the top one - hottest, and it's solar (?)). 25 Q for a Dorm room, 35 Q for a single room. If you are going to be in Xela by the week tell Leanora when you pay-May 2010-there is a weekly rate at least for the private room with bath. Some find this a great kicked back place, but do check your mattress for signs of bed bugs.

The Black Cat Hostel is in the old House Kahel (13 av 3-33 zona 1), located one block from central park, with a patio where you can have breakfast or sit in the sun. Both travelers & locals gather in the bar, so you can practice your Spanish. If you are a big breakfast eater, the extra $ for the room is well worth it - breakfast of your choice from a menu until 11am. Wi-fi internet included. Rooms with wheelchair access. Visa card accepted. Pets accepted. No smoking but smoking area provided. Phone: 77658951 or 77612091. http://www.blackcathostels.net Prices: dorm bed (with shared bathroom) - Q60, Private room (with shared bathroom) - Q160, Private room (with private bathroom) - Q200. *All prices include breakfast.

Hotel Pension Bonifáz, 4a. Calle 10-50 Zona 1 (Just off the Central Square), ☎(502) 761 4241, [45]. One of Xela's top hotels since 1935. Convenient location; offers parking for those who came with a car. On the pricey side for Quetzaltenango. Even if you decide to stay somewhere cheaper, you may wish to stop by the fashionable bar and restaurant for a meal or a cocktail.

Casa Doña Mercedes, ☎(+502)5687-3305 (guest_house_michelle@yahoo.com), [46]. is off to the southeast corner of central parque at the corner of 6a Calle and 14 Av. The rooms run $11/night for the shared room, $70/week for a private room (both with shared bath), and $110/week for a private room/bath. The private baths have REAL hot water (coming from a water heater). There is a sun room, kitchen, TV in the rooms, and the staff cleans your room every day. Also, they will do your laundry for 30Q/load.

Hostal La Estacion, 16 Avenida 1-23 Zona 1, ☎If calling from outside Guatemala, the calling code is: (011-502)Home phones: 7761-8065 or 7761-0219. Cell phone: 5407-9583 (mugeniacif@gmail.com). The hostel is located not far south of Mercado de Democracia and is a short walk to Parque Central. Q40 for a room with two double beds (similar to dorm style) and Q50 for a room with one bed. There is also a cheap single room on the terrace that costs about Q30 per night. If you stay for a week or a month you can get a cheaper rate. You can also buy great home cooked food for Q15 a meal. The hostel is run by a very nice woman(Doña Maria) who has years of experience hosting backpackers. It has a fully equipped kitchen, 24 hr. hot water, free bicyles that guests can borrow and a family atmosphere.

Itzamna Xela Homestay, (itzamna.xela.homestay@gmail.com), [47]. is a service placing travelers with a family for a homestay. They can accommodate stays of a few days to months.

Miel Y Cafe, [49]. Miel Y Cafe, 3ra Calle, 15-21, Zone 1 (just a few blocks from Central Park), ☎ 011-502-4009-3930. 12-8 p.m. Miel y Cafe is an eclectic cafe and hostel in downtown Quetzaltenango. They offer an especially tasty yet unusual avocado and chocolate drink, as well as locally grown gourmet coffee. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the rooms are very homey. It is great for longer term stays in Quetzaltenango, and you can rent by the month or by the week. They have hot water for showers and a fully equipped shared kitchen. Sneak up on the roof because the view of the Xela sky is beautiful! $150.00 a month for a single room,$100.00 a month per person shared room.

Hotel Modelo, 14 Ave A 2-31 zone 1, ☎(502) 77612529, [50]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 12PM. Owned and operated by the same family for over 100 year the Hotel Modelo offers old world charm in the heart of Quetzaltenango.$30 up. (14.838046,-91.521453)

Hotel Real Virginia, 11 Avenida 8-11, Zona 1. More quiet than many of the hotels right in the heart of downtown

Posada San Andres, 4a calle, D12-41, Zona 1, ☎502 54815000 or 77669826 (sanandresxela@gmail.com). Located next to Bab's Home, 5 blocks from the park, 7 huge rooms surround a colonial courtyard. Guests share a kitchen and two bathrooms with hot water. Wi-fi internet also available. Perfect for more long term guests. Q700 a month.

Casa San Bartolomé, B&B, 2da ave. 7-17 zona 1, Barrio San Bartolomé (one block from Parque Bolívar, take 6ta, Calle from Parque Central), ☎7761-9511 (casasanbartolome@yahoo.com), [51]. A quiet, clean and comfortable bed & breakfast with very nice gardens. The hotel has six bedrooms and two equipped and furnished apartments, all with private bathrooms and enough hot water. Rates include full breakfasts to select from a six options menu. Special rates for longer stays. Free Wi-Fi.Q205-350.

Casa Xelajú, (info@cx.edu.gt), [53]. Offers two-story house for rent and 10 apartments with big windows where you can see the city, mountains and volcanoes. They are completely furnished including central heated water, washing machine, , a dining room, living room, full kitchen and three bedrooms/one bedroom, two bedrooms and balconies. We are located five minutes walking distance from the Central Park, in the Historice Center of the City, Callejón 15, Diagonal 13-02, Zona 1, Quetzaltenango. Free unlimited high speed WIFI, 24/7 For more info, info(AT)cx.edu.gtUSD35/day for the house which include three bedrooms.

Hotel Casa Mañen, 9a Av. 4-11, Zona 1., ☎(502) 7765-0786, [54]. Casa Mañen is a wonderful bed and breakfast located just two blocks from Parque Central. The service is first class, the staff dedicated to helping visitors. Whether short or longer stay, this hotel is only blocks from many schools, attractions and the night life of Xela. The rooms are comfortable, each with its own character.

Casa Latina, Diagonal 12, 6-58, Zona 1, ☎5613-7222, [59]. beautiful, new guesthouse, just a few minutes walk to Parque Central and bars/restaurants. Las Flores market is across the street! Casa Latina has a friendly, home-like atmosphere. 2 floors, each with 4 rooms. Both floors have bathroom, kitchen, living room & balcony. Spanish School Sol Latino is just a stone’s throw away, www.spanishschoolsollatino.com Includes wi-fi internet access, parking, bed linens, smoking area, & travel info. Available services include laundry & airport transport. Option to pay per night ($7 for 1 person or $10 for 2 people), per week ($35 for 1 person or $48 for 2 people) or per 4 weeks ($122 for 1 person or $173 for 2 people). * $30 deposit per room (returned at checkout if room in good condition)

Guesthouse El Puente, 6a Calle 14-55 Zona 1 (http://www.celasmaya.edu.gt/how-to-get-here.html), ☎7761-4342, [60]. Located in the rear part of the main Celas Maya Spanish school building/facility, a small hostel used primarily for student residency. 4 ample sized rooms, 1 with private bathroom (Q65/day or Q1650/month) & the other 3 with a shared full service bathroom (Q50/day or Q1350/month). Each room accommodates 1-3 guests. Kitchen is shared and fully equipped. Beautiful private sunny garden.

Kiktem-Ja, 13 Av 7-18 | Zona 1, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (across from Cuartido about 2 blocks from Parque Central). checkin: Noon; checkout: Noon. Clean and comfortable. Internet wasn't working when we were there (but just go across the street to Cuartido for some of the fastest internet in Xela) -- you may be able to get a discount if you stay awhile. The location is unbeatable -- just two blocks from Parque Central. Hot showers with good pressure and televisions in the room with both Espanol and English channels. 160Q.

Get out

It may be possible to arrange a tour of the Gallo brewery by calling ahead.

You can spend hours in and around the Mercado de la Democracia in the commercial center of Xela. It is where the locals shop for most of their needs.

Any concert is worth attending in the Municipal Theater. It is beautiful inside.

Evening marimba concerts are often given on the steps of the Municipalidad on the west side of Parque Centro America.

Walk around town. In the side streets, you'll often come upon a master giving guitar lessons or a group of men practicing Marimba.

Go to a football game: Xelaju M. C. vs anyone. The crowd is animated and the fireworks alone can be worth the price of admission. Don't pay extra for the high priced seats, they remove you from much of the fun. Try to sit in the corner near the band. A "Xelaju M. C." flag to wave costs Q10. Grilled sausages are less. No alcohol permitted in the stadium.

Fireworks! If it's your birthday, or you just feel like it, spend a couple of Quetzals for a big string of firecrackers. You'll normally hear them any evening or early morning. Yeah bring your ear plugs they usually sound off about 4 am. I understand they are called God Bombs and are used to wake God so He will hear your prayer. It definately wakes the dogs who bark till the roosters wake and cook a doodle doo until they figure out it is not dawn. Ear plugs.

Weekend nights are also an option, you will find night clubs in all the center, from the Central Park, to the Theatre, for 30 quetzales you can get in anywhere and drink something. Also in some seasons the "14A" is closed to the traffic because of some music festival, concerts, street art exhibitions etc.

Attractions

Zunil is 9 km from Quetzaltenango. Monday is market day. Located on the Samala river and on the main highway leading down the coast, Zunil's people wear attractive clothes made by hand using traditional techniques featuring intricate designs and bright colors. This picturesque town is the center for the worship of "Maximon" or "San Simon" a life-sized mannequin endowed with occult power: Just 8 km from town on the slopes of the inactive Zunil volcano would have found the beautiful "Fuentes Georginas" thermal springs, equipped with restaurant and bungalows.

Fuentes Georginas were damaged by tropical storm Agatha in May 2010, but they reopened on Mar. 1, 2011. Unfortunately, they have implemented a dual admission policy charging foreigners twice what they charge locals. The restaurant closes at 6:30pm and doesn't serve anything but huevos (eggs) and meager salads after 6pm. The accomodations are rather spartan by any standards but is downright ridiculous for the the 320Q/night. However, the room rate includes admission to the pools for two days. It is recommended to take the bus into Zunil early and spend the day at the springs, heading back home at sundown. Admission to the pools for tourists is 50Q/day. There are three pools, the largest upper pool is, unfortunately, so hot that no one can get in it. The other two pools were made bigger and deeper after the 2011 renovations and these are now where all bathers go. The pool near the entrance is currently under repair and has no water in it.

Destinations

The "Quetzaltecos" villages of Quiche and Mam origins, have small places with impressive colonial style churches where the tourist will see the regional handcrafts displayed on market days.

Salcajá: 9 km from Quetzaltenango. Market day: Tuesday. local festival the 25th of August. Here was constructed the church of San Jacinto, the first of the religious constructions of the region and a beautiful example of colonial architecture. Also famous for its hand-woven "jaspe " materials and unique alcoholic beverages known as "caldo de fruta" " and "rompopo" .

San Juan Ostuncalco 12 km from Quetzaltenango. Situated in a valley of the mountainous region, it is the commercial centre for the Mam-speaking villages which border the departament. Here you may acquire musicals instruments, wicker furniture as well as lovely hand woven materials.

Almolonga 5 km from Quetzaltenango. Market on Wednesday and Saturday. Annual festival the 26th-29th of June. Known for its variety of vegetables which are cultivated on the smell farms which surround the village. You will also enjoy thermal springs such as "Las aguas amargas" and "El rosario" .

Cantel 10 km from Quetzaltenango. Visit the interesting cooperative for handmade blown glass. Chojolom, a small K'iche' archaeological site is located on a hill just outside the village. For a guide, ask at the Municipal offices, in a temporary location in a sidestreet to the right of the Catholic church.

Olintepeque : 7 Km from Quetzaltenango. The place where according to legend, the famous Maya-Quiche prince Tecún Uman died in battle against Pedro de Alvarado in 1524.

San Andres Xecul : 7 km from Quetzaltenango, in the direction of the "Cuatro Caminos" highway junction, with a colonial-style whose facade is both colorful and picturesque.

Volcán Santa Maria, 12,256 feet & Santiaguito. The summit of the Santa Maria Volcano lies at the end of the steep 3-4 hours climb from the village of Llanos del Pinal (located 6 km above Quetzaltenango). You'll best enjoy the truly awesome view during the clearer weather of the early morning hours. The whole coastal plain lies at your feet, along with the cities of Quetzaltenago and Tapachula, Mexico. You can look down into the very active Santiaguito crater which erupts at least once every hour. You can still enjoy the view minus the ragged hike by driving to the top of the adjacent Siete Orejas Volcano. (10,384 feet above sea level).

La laguna de Chicabal, 3 hours by foot from the village of San Martin Sacatepequez (also known as Chile Verde) (14 km from Quetzaltenango). At this very picturesque lagoon, the sorcerers of the whole region meet on the 3rd of may.

The High Country

Totonicapan Near Quetzaltenango, you have to visit the principal town Totonicapan (in the departament of the same name). Known for its hand woven textiles and his potteries.

San Francisco El Alto Friday this is the site of the Central America's largest market. If you can buy it in Guatemala, you can buy it here, although there is very little aimed specifically at tourists. If you can, drop by the cathedral and see if someone will take you up on the roof for a bird's-eye view of what's going on.

If you go here be on the look out for pick pockets. A man hit my shoulder from behind almost knocking me down and
I had all my money in both my front pockets taken...including change! I knew about pick pockets being there so I had money in my money belt for the bus ride back to Xela. It is a great market with animals for sale on Fridays...I saw all the old Singer Sewing Machines America has dumped for sale at this market. Also if you have a camera keep in in your hand since a swish of the knife will cut a strap and you will not even know it till you start to take a photo.

Pacific Beach

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!